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(11) | EP 2 474 228 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Device for supporting and moving food dough in a plant for the production of baked products |
| (57) A device operatively connectable to a transport system (T) of the type chain or the like for supporting and moving the food dough (P) through a plant for the production of baked products, comprising at least one container
(30) defining a first longitudinal axis (X) for at least one portion of food dough (P), a frame (20) for supporting the container (30) and quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) of the at least one container (30) to/from the supporting frame (20). The frame (20) has an elongated shape to define a second longitudinal axis (Y) and includes two opposite ends (24, 24') operatively connectable to the transport system (T) thereof through the plant. The quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) are configured to allow the coupling/uncoupling of said at least one container (30) to/from said frame (20) by mutual sliding along said first axis (X) and/or said second axis (Y) once the same are mutually coupled. |
Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of the food industry, and particularly relates to a device for supporting and moving the food dough through a plant for the production of baked products.
Background of the invention
[0002] It is known that the so called baked products, such as bread, rusks or the like, are generally produced starting from one or more portions of food dough, suitably worked, which are left to leaven, then baked in appropriate ovens and finally packed.
[0003] Obviously, times and ways of the leavening and baking steps vary according to the product to be obtained, as well as the base mixture to produce the food dough portions.
[0004] Normally, in the plants for the continuous production of baked products, the food dough is put into suitable devices which, once connected to an appropriate transport apparatus, for example a chain, bring the dough at first into the leavening section for a first operative time and then into the baking section for a second operative time.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a device of this type, per se known, which comprises a plurality of metal containers C and an outer support frame F. The containers C are at first coupled to the frame F and then anchored thereto, so as to prevent them from uncoupling from the frame F during their course through the leavening and baking sections.
[0006] The anchoring takes place by means of fitting brackets B kept in position by a screw T blocked by a bolt.
[0008] First of all, the presence of mounting paste or the like, necessary to allow the possible disassembling of the bolted connections, may contaminate the food dough present in the containers, particularly considering the high temperature reached in the baking ovens.
[0009] Further, upon the substitution of the containers it is necessary to stop the whole plant, since it is necessary to unscrew and remove from the frame the fastening brackets of the containers. Apparently, these waste times negatively influence the productivity of the whole plant.
[0010] Moreover, the bolts may unscrew causing the loss of the container in case of overturn of the frame to clean it. This loss may then damage the whole transport system.
[0011] Moreover, this problem is emphasized by the fact that the metal containers require a very frequent maintenance and/or replacement, particularly because of the sudden degradation of the superficial inner layer thereof, suitable to the detachment of the food dough.
Summary of the invention
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the above described drawbacks by providing a highly efficient and comparatively cheap device for supporting and moving the food dough through a plant for the production of baked products.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which allows to maximize the productivity of the plant in which it is mounted.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which allows a quick and simple maintenance and/or replacement thereof.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which allows to minimize the danger of contaminations of the transported food dough.
[0016] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a device for supporting and moving the food dough through a plant for the production of baked products according to claim 1.
[0017] The device may include at least one container, which may define a first longitudinal axis, suitable to house at least one portion of food dough.
[0018] The device may further include a frame for supporting the at least one container. The frame may have elongated shape to define a second longitudinal axis, and may include two opposite ends operatively connectable to a transport apparatus thereof through the plant, for example a chain.
[0019] The at least one container and the frame may be coupled to each other in any way. Moreover, they may be made of one piece.
[0020] Advantageously, and independently from the fact that the at least one container includes or not quick hooking/unhooking means to/from the supporting frame, for example those describe hereinafter, the supporting frame may have quick connection/disconnection means to/from the transport apparatus.
[0021] For example, the supporting frame may comprise at least one pivot placed at one of the two ends which may be mounted within a seat to slidably move between an extended working position, wherein the frame and the transport apparatus are reciprocally connected, and a contracted resting position, wherein the frame is freely unconnectable from the transport apparatus.
[0022] Advantageously, within the seat counteracting elastic means may be placed, acting on the at least one pivot to force it in its working position.
[0023] Appropriately, alternatively or combined with the counteracting elastic means, removable blocking means acting on the pivot to keep it in its working position may be provided. These movable blocking means may include a screw or a blocking pin, which may be movably coupled to the pivot when it is in its working position and uncoupled therefrom to bring the pivot to its resting position and to disconnect the frame.
[0024] In this way an operator, in order to disconnect the frame from the transport apparatus, acts at first manually on the at least one pivot to bring it to its rest position and then disconnects the frame in a quick and simple way.
[0025] The other end of the frame may include a second pivot, which may be or not configured as described above.
[0026] Appropriately, and independently from the fact that the frame includes or not the quick connection/disconnection means to/from the above described transport apparatus, quick hooking/unhooking means of the at least one container to/from the supporting frame may be provided.
[0027] Thanks to this configuration, the device allows to maximize the productivity of the plant in which it is mounted, as it eliminates the waste times during the production due to the replacement of the containers.
[0028] In fact, the quick hooking/unhooking means allow an extremely quick change, even during movement. Therefore, there is no more need to stop the plant for long periods. An area to allow a rapid replacement of the containers during the normal working cycle may be furthermore arranged.
[0030] Moreover, the absence of bolts allows to avoid the use of mounting paste or the like, so as to minimize the danger of contamination of the transported food dough.
[0031] Advantageously, the at least one container and the frame may be reciprocally couplable/uncoupable so that when they are coupled the first and the second longitudinal axis are substantially parallel to each other.
[0033] Preferably, this polymer material may be resistant at a temperature of at least 200°C, and even more preferably of at least 250 °C.
[0034] Thanks to this feature, the productivity of the plant is even more maximized, as the need to change the containers during the production is minimized.
[0035] Appropriately, the quick hooking/unhooking means may include at least one male member on one between the frame and the at least one container engageable with/disengageable from a respective at least one female member made on the other between the frame and the at least one container to hook/unhook the at least one container to/from the supporting frame.
[0036] The male and female members may be configured to allow the hooking/unhooking of the at least one container to/from the frame by reciprocal sliding along the first and/or the second axis once they are reciprocally coupled.
[0037] Thanks to this feature, the productivity of the plant is even more maximized, as the operation of reciprocal anchorage of the container to the frame is extremely quick and simple.
[0038] In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the quick hooking/unhooking means may include at least one pair of male members made on opposite parts of one between the frame and the at least one container and at least one pair of female members made on corresponding opposite parts of the other between the frame and the at least one container.
[0039] Besides ensuring a safe connection between container and frame, this configuration further allows the connection independently from the coupling sense between container and frame.
[0040] Advantageously, the quick hooking/unhooking means may further comprise a safety element movable between a working position wherein it interacts with the at least one container to prevent its unhooking from the frame and a resting position, wherein the at least one container is freely hookable/unhookable to/from the frame, counteracting elastic means acting on the safety element to force it normally in its working position being provided.
Brief description of the drawings
[0043] Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more evident upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a device for supporting and moving the food dough through a plant for the production of baked products according to the invention, which is described as non limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a device for the production of baked products according to the prior art;
FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of an embodiment of the device 10;
FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the frame 20, with in FIG. 3a some enlarged details;
FIG. 4 is an axonometric view of a container 30;
FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of the container of FIG. 4 taken along a plane V - V, with in FIG. 5a some enlarged details;
FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view of a frame 20 and container 30 upon reciprocal coupling step, with in FIG. 6a some enlarged details;
FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned view of the frame 20 and of the container 30 of FIG. 6, reciprocally coupled to each other and upon reciprocal hooking step, with in FIG. 7a some enlarged details;
FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned view of the frame 20 and of the container 30 of FIG. 7, reciprocally hooked to each other, with in FIGG. 8a e 8b some enlarged details;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a leavening section L and of a baking section K of a plant for the production of baked products, with in FIG. 9a some enlarged details;
FIGS. 10a and 10b are enlarged views of a preferred, non exclusive embodiment of the frame 20, wherein the pivot 23' is respectively in its working and resting position.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0044] Referring to the above figures, a device 10 is described for supporting and moving the food dough through a plant for the production of baked products, such as bread or rusks, preferably in a continuous manner.
[0045] As per se known, a plant of this type may comprise a section of preparation of the food dough, wherein the basic ingredients of the baked product are mixed with each other to form a dough, a leavening section, a baking section which includes one or more ovens and a section for packaging the final product.
[0046] The sections may be all connected to each other. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the leavening section L and the baking section K may be connected to each other by means of a suitable transport mechanism, for example a chain T. To this chain a plurality of devices 10 may be operatively connected, which support the food dough P and move it through the leavening and baking sections. Preferably, the movement of the devices 10 within the plant may take place continuously, without stopping.
[0047] For example, to produce rusks the food dough P may stay for about one hour in the leavening section L and about 30 minutes in the baking section K, at a temperature of about 180 °C.
[0048] After a first coking the semi-finished product can be drawn from the container 30 and seasoned for about 10-12 hours. Later the semi-finished product can be cut and toasted in a second oven, where it remains for about 7-8 minutes at a temperature of about 210-220 °C, so as to produce the finished product.
[0049] As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 may include a frame 20 suitable to support one or more containers 30 for the food dough.
[0050] Each container 30, which may have generally elongated shape to define a first longitudinal axis X, may comprise a first peripheral upper edge 31 and a concave portion 32 extending below the edge 31 to internally house one or more portions of food dough.
[0051] Advantageously, the containers 30 may be manufactured in metal material or in polymer material of food grade, preferably resistant to a temperature of at least 200 °C.
[0052] As used herein, the expression "polymer material resistant to a temperature of at least 200 °C" or derivates thereof is intended to indicate a polymer material suitable to continuously resist to a temperature of 200 °C for at least 30 minutes without visible macroscopic changes.
[0053] In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, the containers may be manufactured in the plastic material LCP Vectra® by Ticona®.
[0054] The frame 20, which may also have elongated shape to define a second longitudinal axis Y, may include a second peripheral upper edge 21 and a concave portion 22, extending towards the bottom from the edge 21 to house inside it one or more containers 30. To maximize the thermal exchange between the food dough in the containers 30 and the outer environment, as well as to lightweight the structure, the portion 22 of the frame 20 may have a plurality of openings 25.
[0055] Moreover, the frame 20 may include a pair of pivots 23, 23' in correspondence of the opposite ends 24, 24' for the operative connection of the device 10 to the chain T.
[0056] During use, the containers 30 may be coupled to the frame 20 so that the second axis Y of the frame is substantially parallel, respectively coincides, with the first axis X of the containers 30.
[0057] Appropriately, then, the coupling between the containers 30 and the frame 20 may take place in such a way that the lower surface 33 of the peripheral edge 31 at least partially faces the upper surface 26 of the peripheral edge 21.
[0058] Once the coupling has taken place, the containers 30 may be anchored to the frame 20 so as to prevent them from uncoupling from the frame during their course through the leavening L and baking C sections.
[0059] Periodically, for clearing or maintenance purposes, the containers 30 may be uncoupled from the frame 20. For this purpose, it is first of all necessary to disanchor the containers 30 from the frame 20 and then uncouple them.
[0060] In order to make these operations easier, quick hooking/unhooking means of the containers 30 to/from the frame 20 may be provided.
[0061] Appropriately, these quick hooking/unhooking means may include two pairs of male members 34, made on opposite parts 31', 31" of the peripheral edge 31 of each container 30, engageable with/disengageable from two pairs of respective female members 27, made on corresponding opposite parts 21', 21" of the peripheral edge 21 of the frame 20.
[0062] The female members 27 may include, respectively consist of, respective slots passing through the peripheral edge 21, whereas the male members 34, 34' may include, respectively consist of, respective hook members insertable into the slots 27.
[0063] Advantageously, each slot 27 may be made on the peripheral edge 21 so as to define an axis Z substantially perpendicular to the second axis Y defined by the frame 20.
[0064] On the other hand, each hook member 34 may comprise an elongated body 35 and a pair of appendices 36, 36'. The last ones outwardly extend from opposite parts of the elongated body 35, so as to allow the hooking/unhooking of the containers 30 to/from the frame 20 independently from the coupling sense thereof.
[0065] The elongated body 35 may downwardly extend from the peripheral body 31 to define an axis Z' substantially perpendicular to the first axis X defined by each container 30. Upon coupling/uncoupling of the containers 30 with/from the frame 20, the axis Z' and Z may substantially coincide.
[0066] The elongated appendices 36, 36' may be made in correspondence with the free end 37 of the elongated body 35, and may define an axis Z" substantially parallel to the first axis X defined by each container 30, and, consequently, substantially perpendicular to the axis Z defined by each slot 27.
[0067] As particularly shown in FIGS. 6 and 6a, upon coupling/uncoupling of the containers 30 with/from the frame 20, the end 37 of the elongated body 35, together with the appendices 36, 36', pass through the slots 27, so that the appendices 36, 36' face the peripheral edge 21 of the frame 20. More in particular, the outer surfaces 38, 38' of the appendices 36, 36' face the lower surface 28 of the peripheral edge 21 of the frame 20.
[0068] In order to hook the containers 30 to the frame 20, it is necessary to reciprocally engage the hook members 34 into the slots 27. For this purpose, as particularly shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a, once the containers 30 and the frame 20 are reciprocally coupled, it is sufficient to slide along the axis X to hook the first one to the second one.
[0069] In this way, as particularly shown in FIGS. 8 and 8a, the outer edge 35' of the elongated body 35 of each hook member 34 abuts against the inner surface 27' of the respective slot 27. The appendices 36, 36' also slide along the axis X unitarily with the elongated body 35.
[0070] Therefore, if the device 10 during its path through the leavening sections L and baking sections K is shaked or overturned, the impact of the upper surface 38 of the appendix 36 against the lower surface 28 of the slot 27 prevents the uncoupling of the container 30 from the frame 20.
[0071] Appropriately, the quick hooking/unhooking means may further comprise a safety element 29, which may rotate around the axis Z" between a working position, shown in FIG. 9, in which it interacts with the edge 31 of the container 30, and a resting position, shown in FIG. 7, wherein the safety element 29 and the container are reciprocally disengaged.
[0072] In the working position, the safety element 29 may act on the hook members 34 to force them against the respective slots 27, so as to prevent the unhooking of the container 30 from the frame 20. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8b, the safety element 29 in its working position acts as a mechanical stop for the outer edge 35' of the elongated body of each hook member 34, in order to keep the container 30 in operating position and to prevent the disengagement thereof from the frame 20.
[0073] Vice versa, when the safety element 20 is in its resting position, it is possible to disanchor the hook members 34 from the slots 27, so that the container 30 is freely unhookable from the frame 20.
[0074] Advantageously, the safety member 29 may include counteracting elastic means, for example a spring 29', acting thereon to keep it normally in its working position. This increases the safety of the anchorage between the container 30 and the frame 20.
[0075] Therefore, to allow the coupling/uncoupling and the hooking/unhooking of the container 30 to/from the frame 20, it is necessary to exert a pressure on the safety element 29 to rotate it from the working position, where it remains in absence of outer forces, to the resting position, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0076] Subsequently, the safety element 29 automatically rotates to its working position upon releasing of the pressure thereon, so as to prevent the unhooking of the container 30 from the frame 20.
[0077] In a preferred, non exclusive embodiment, independently from the presence or not of the quick hooking/unhooking means 34, 27, 29 of the container 30 to/from the support frame 20 and from the way of reciprocal coupling thereof, one of the pivots 23, 23', or both pivots, may be mounted within a seat 40 for slidably moving between and extended working position, shown in FIG. 10a, and a compressed resting position, shown in FIG. 10b.
[0078] In the working position the pivot 23, 23' may be in any way connected to the transport apparatus T, whereas in its resting position the pivot is freely disconnectable from the transport apparatus T.
[0079] Appropriately, a blocking screw 41 may be provided, acting on the respective pivot 23' to keep it blocked in its working position.
[0080] In order to move the pivot 23' to its resting position, the operator may remove the screw 41 from its seat and, acting on the holding means 42, manually slide the pivot 23' along the axis Y until the resting position.
[0082] The invention is susceptible to many changes and variants, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the annexed claims. All particulars may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to the needs, without departing from the scope of the invention.
1. A device operatively connectable to a transport system (T) of the type chain or the like for supporting and moving the food dough (P) through a plant for the production of baked products, the device comprising:
- at least one container (30) for at least one portion of food dough (P), said container (30) defining a first longitudinal axis (X);
- a frame (20) for supporting said at least one container (30), said frame (20) having an elongated shape to define a second longitudinal axis (Y) and including two opposite ends (24, 24') operatively connectable to the transport system (T);
- means (34, 27, 29) for quick hooking/unhooking said at least one container (30) to/from said supporting
frame (20);
characterized in that said quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) are configured to allow coupling/uncoupling of said at least one container (30) to/from said frame (20) by mutual sliding along said first axis (X) and/or said second axis (Y) once the same are mutually coupled.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one container (30) and said frame (20) are mutually couplable/uncouplable in such a manner that when the same are coupled
said first longitudinal axis (X) and said second longitudinal axis (Y) are substantially parallel to each other.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) include at least one male member (34) engageable with/disenagageable from a respective at least one female member (27), one between said frame (20) and said at least one container (30) including said at least one male member (34), the other between the frame (20) and the at least one container (30) including said at least one female member (27).
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) include at least one couple of male members (34) made on opposite sides (31', 31") of said one between said frame (20) and said at least one container (30), said quick hooking/unhooking means (34, 27, 29) further include at least one couple of female members (27) manufactured on corresponding opposite sides (21', 21") of the other between said frame (20) and said at least one container (30).
5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said quick hooking/unhooking
means (34, 27, 29) further include a safety member (29) movable between a working position in which it is susceptible to interact with said
at least one container (30) to prevent its unhooking from said frame (20) and a resting position in which said at least one container (30) is freely hookable/unhookable to/from said frame (20), elastic contrast means (29') being provided acting on said safety member (29) for normally forcing thereof in said working position.
6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one
container (30) includes a first peripheral edge (31) and a concave portion (32) to house the food dough (P), said frame (20) including a second peripheral edge (21), said first peripheral edge (31) including a bottom surface (33) susceptible to remain at least partially faced to the top surface (26) of said second peripheral edge (21) of said frame (20) once said at least one container (30) is coupled therewith.
7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each female member
(27) includes a passing-through slot, each male member (34) including a respective hook member, said second peripheral edge (21) of said frame (20) comprising said passing-through slot (27), said first peripheral edge (31) of said at least one container (30) including said hook member (34).
8. Device according to the claim 7, wherein said hook member (34) includes an elongated body (35) extending downwardly from said first peripheral edge (31) of said at least one container (30) having a free end (37) including at least one appendix (36, 36') susceptible to pass through the respective slot (27) when the coupling/uncoupling of said at least one container (30) to/from said frame (20) and to abut against said second peripheral edge (21) once said at least one container (30) is coupled to said frame (20) for the mutual hooking thereof.
9. Device according to the claim 8, wherein said elongated body (35) includes one couple of appendices (36, 36') outwardly extending from opposite sides thereof for coupling/uncoupling said at
least one container (30) to/from said frame (20) regardless of the coupling sense thereof.
10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one
container (30) is made of food grade polymer material resistant to a temperature of at least 200
°C.
11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said support frame
(20) includes at least one pin (23, 23') located at one of said ends (24, 24') mounted within a seat to slidably move between a working position which is distal
from the relative end (24, 24') and a resting position which is proximal thereto (24, 24') to allow a quick connection/disconnection of said support frame (20) from/to the transport system (T).